It is used to signify peace, although it is also linked to conscientous objectors. I prefer to put think of the first meaning, although I also believe that Rememberance Sunday should be about remembering those that have died in all of the wars and therefore the red one should be worn at this time of year.....

It is used to signify peace, although it is also linked to conscientous objectors. I prefer to put think of the first meaning, although I also believe that Rememberance Sunday should be about remembering those that have died in all of the wars and therefore the red one should be worn at this time of year.....

I don't like the military, and I don't like war. I detest the annual celebration and glorification of war that the Poppy drivel has become.

Remembrance itself has it's place, but when it becomes indulgent, mawkish, jingoistic and agenda driven I don't want to know. And there should come a time when people move on and stop "remembering".

This year's poppy drivel has been more low key in the media than in recent years. A welcome development and hopefully a sign of things to come.

I don't like the military, and I don't like war. I detest the annual celebration and glorification of war that the Poppy drivel has become.

Remembrance itself has it's place, but when it becomes indulgent, mawkish, jingoistic and agenda driven I don't want to know. And there should come a time when people move on and stop "remembering".

This year's poppy drivel has been more low key in the media than in recent years. A welcome development and hopefully a sign of things to come.

Stop remembering? What about the people that are out in Afghanistan right now, that have died this year, is it time for us to stop remembering them too? I have a huge amount of respect for the military, I served in the Army for 7 years, I have lost friends and one of my soldiers who I commanded, but no-one "likes" war.
The rememberance parades, and the Festival of Rememberance on tonight, is not mawkish, but if viewed in an open minded way is also uplifting to some.

I don't like the military, and I don't like war. I detest the annual celebration and glorification of war that the Poppy drivel has become.

Remembrance itself has it's place, but when it becomes indulgent, mawkish, jingoistic and agenda driven I don't want to know. And there should come a time when people move on and stop "remembering".

This year's poppy drivel has been more low key in the media than in recent years. A welcome development and hopefully a sign of things to come.

The poppy is a symbol of remembering those that died for our freedom and those that are still dying for the freedom of others. I hope I never forget or take for granted what the men and women in the Forces are prepared to sacrifice for those that sent them to war. One such person who comes to mind is Lee Rigby....

I don't like the military, and I don't like war. I detest the annual celebration and glorification of war that the Poppy drivel has become.

Remembrance itself has it's place, but when it becomes indulgent, mawkish, jingoistic and agenda driven I don't want to know. And there should come a time when people move on and stop "remembering".

This year's poppy drivel has been more low key in the media than in recent years. A welcome development and hopefully a sign of things to come.

Are you actually serious. It's not about celebration of war but of bravery. Defending your country and everyone in it watching your friends murdered and having to murder. The stress, the fear, the longing to be with your family and children never knowing if you would see them again! They didn't start a war they defended their people the way a mother would defend a child. They lost their lives trying to protect and I am honored to wear my poppy.

It's not a "celebration or glorification" of war. It's called remembrance day for self evident reasons. It's when we remember the thousands and thousands who have died and being able to have freedom to speak and give our opinions about anything let alone on a forum is a direct result of people who have fought to allow us that right in this country. We should never "move on and stop remembering" rather we should thank our lucky stars everyday that we have the freedom we have. I'm honoured to wear my poppy too.

Stop remembering? What about the people that are out in Afghanistan right now, that have died this year, is it time for us to stop remembering them too? I have a huge amount of respect for the military, I served in the Army for 7 years, I have lost friends and one of my soldiers who I commanded, but no-one "likes" war.
The rememberance parades, and the Festival of Rememberance on tonight, is not mawkish, but if viewed in an open minded way is also uplifting to some.

See, this is exactly what people mean by politicisation of the Poppy. Using it as a propoganda tool for the current armed forces and their adventures abroad.

I'm not interested in the military in Afghanistan. I don't want them there, I didn't send them there and I'm not happy about the things they do there. The Poppy certainly isn't worn to remember the lives of Afghan civilians killed by the UK military.

You chose to be a soldier. That doesn't give you any right to expect my respect.

The poppy is a symbol of remembering those that died for our freedom and those that are still dying for the freedom of others. I hope I never forget or take for granted what the men and women in the Forces are prepared to sacrifice for those that sent them to war. One such person who comes to mind is Lee Rigby....

I don't want UK soldiers sacrificing their lives in Afghanistan, or Iraq. I'm not keen on them killing people in these countries either.

See, this is exactly what people mean by politicisation of the Poppy. Using it as a propoganda tool for the current armed forces and their adventures abroad.

I'm not interested in the military in Afghanistan. I don't want them there, I didn't send them there and I'm not happy about the things they do there. The Poppy certainly isn't worn to remember the lives of Afghan civilians killed by the UK military.

You chose to be a soldier. That doesn't give you any right to expect my respect.

You are right, I did choose to join the Army. Not for any particularly patriotic notion, more because as I grew up loving sport and following uni I hated the idea of getting a job in an office, so took a role that allowed me to have sport and an outdoor lifestyle and travel as part of my working life. But I am also very proud of what I did in the Army.
I also, neither expect or ask for your respect. Respect is earned, and we do not know each other so why should you respect me?

I think we should agree to disagree, for me personally, the poppy is a symbol of remembrance of what people have done for this country past and present, but for you it is something else entirely, that is fine, it is a benefit of us all being able to hold our own opinions.

You are right, I did choose to join the Army. Not for any particularly patriotic notion, more because as I grew up loving sport and following uni I hated the idea of getting a job in an office, so took a role that allowed me to have sport and an outdoor lifestyle and travel as part of my working life. But I am also very proud of what I did in the Army.
I also, neither expect or ask for your respect. Respect is earned, and we do not know each other so why should you respect me?

I think we should agree to disagree, for me personally, the poppy is a symbol of remembrance of what people have done for this country past and present, but for you it is something else entirely, that is fine, it is a benefit of us all being able to hold our own opinions.

It's important to remember the war, and the poppy is a symbol of that remembrance, but I do agree that in the past ten years or so, it's been used in some quarters as a pro-war symbol to justify the far-flung misadventures in the Middle East and Central Asia.

The brutal truth is that soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan have not been dying for our freedom. These are futile struggles that have harmed us more than helped us. Remembering the Great War and the wars since should instill in people a reluctance to go to war, to remind people that blood is precious and it must not be spilled carelessly.

See, this is exactly what people mean by politicisation of the Poppy. Using it as a propoganda tool for the current armed forces and their adventures abroad.

I'm not interested in the military in Afghanistan. I don't want them there, I didn't send them there and I'm not happy about the things they do there. The Poppy certainly isn't worn to remember the lives of Afghan civilians killed by the UK military.

You chose to be a soldier. That doesn't give you any right to expect my respect.

There is a difference between giving respect and showing disrespect. Just because you dont respect them doesn't mean you have to disrespect them even if you dont agree with what they did. At the end of it all, men died fighting for what they truly believed was right.

See, this is exactly what people mean by politicisation of the Poppy. Using it as a propoganda tool for the current armed forces and their adventures abroad.

I'm not interested in the military in Afghanistan. I don't want them there, I didn't send them there and I'm not happy about the things they do there. The Poppy certainly isn't worn to remember the lives of Afghan civilians killed by the UK military.

You chose to be a soldier. That doesn't give you any right to expect my respect.

There is a difference between giving respect and showing disrespect. Just because you dont respect them doesn't mean you have to disrespect them even if you dont agree with what they did. At the end of it all, men died fighting for what they truly believed was right.

The UK military has killed thousands of civilians in these countries, countries which at no time attacked or threatened the UK. I actively disrespect those who have gone to Iraq and Afghanistan and killed people, on order, in exchange for payment.